by Robert Tawton » Tue 11 Dec 2007 11:21 am
Hi Kirsty,
The first question is; exactly what do you mean by the expression ‘teaching blinds’? The process through which our dogs learn to handle involves the teaching of a number of clearly defined concepts that are subsequently chained together. Still later the dog must be given the opportunity to gain the experience necessary to apply these concepts to the vast array of dynamic situations that grey headed Judges spend hours dreaming about.
Most concepts are taught at close range and in a mown lawn type environment that makes using flags somewhat redundant. For example, it is unnecessary to use flags when teaching concepts such as, three handed lining drill, three handed casting drill, wagon wheel lining drill, wagon wheel casting drill, push and pull at the firing point. The list goes on and on.
Arguably the Double Tee Drill underpins all aspects of advanced handling and since the distances involved are greater there maybe a case for the use of flags, if only to assist the handler in knowing exactly where the dummy piles are located. Similarly the use of flags maybe justified during the initial teaching phase of Swim-by”. In both cases my advice would be to limit flags to the initial teaching phase at most.
In the early days of my involvement in the sport I used flags extensively. I even had special flags made that were half black and half white so that they would be visible against all manner of backgrounds, but like Jack I have seen shortcomings with their extended use. I have come to the view that if a dog needs the extended use of flags to lure it into performing the desired behaviour or to the desired destination; this is a clear indication that the handler is pushing the dog and that the dog has not mastered the necessary initial concepts. I read somewhere that, “sorting out the basics is time well spent” and that is certainly good advice.
In summary, I used flags for about 25 years, but over the last 15 years their use has waned to the point that I cannot recall using them at all in the last three years.
Regards, RWT